We produced another sparkling performance on the road to seal a 3-0 win away to Brighton on Saturday, to go back to the top of the Premier League table.
After the game Mikel Arteta was asked about the performance, the defensive record of the team, the state of play in the title race and more.
Here’s a full transcript from the manager’s post-match press conference…
On winning emphatically...
Really happy, really proud of the boys. They put in a big performance to beat this great Brighton side. They haven’t lost here since August and that tells you the difficulty of it, of the task, but we were really good today.
On Kai Havertz's performance...
He’s certainly having a huge impact on the team, I think his overall performances have been really good and now his numbers in terms of goal contributions, are really, really high. He needs to maintain that level, I think the understanding between the attacking players today was superb – I think they had real purpose and connection, and a lot of clarity to attack against them, and we created many chances.
On seeing a difference in our mentality compared to this time last year...
I don’t know – I think we are in a really good moment, we have the squad healthy with a really good energy, with a lot of confidence, individually and collectively, because they perform really well, and we are winning a lot of matches. We just have to carry on doing what we’re doing.
On the margins being small when Bukayo took the penalty to give us the lead...
That’s a little one or a huge one because a penalty is a goal, and the different scoreline makes a whole difference. But just the courage to take it again, because I’m sure something was around his mind, but it’s another year, he has gone through that [missing against West Ham] and he wants to make a difference for the team.
On Ben White's continuously good displays...
Credit to him, he’s always willing to learn, to train, to play in any circumstances, when he’s feeling good, when he’s not feeling that good, he’s open-minded and he has the desire to win, and that’s what he made the difference in.
On if Havertz has found his best position at centre forward...
A lot of the time players decide where they have to play, and we can have certain ideas, but then you see certain relationships and some things flow. And when it flows, you have to let it go, and I think Kai at the moment is flowing and he’s feeling really comfortable there, the rest of the team is comfortable with him there and things happen naturally.
On the team celebrating Gabriel's block at the end...
That’s really pleasing for all the coaches to see that reaction from the team at 3-0. It’s great because that tells you how much they want it, the importance and the focus they put in every single ball, that was an extra bonus today.
On Havertz being a different player and person since the start of the season...
Yeah, obviously, he's in a different moment. He's got some fantastic players around him. We have tried to create the right environment for him which I think is very important for any player. We have given him confidence, I think hopefully we've given the love that he needs. And after, he has the appreciation from the rest of the players and the staff at the club and now, our supporters for sure.
On if today gives us increased belief with the remaining away games...
Yes, if you ask everybody, this is a really, really tough place to come and win in the manner and the form that we've done it, so hopefully yes, and we can carry on doing what we're doing.
On if our title hopes will be decided on the road...
I don't know because we're gonna have to play Aston Villa at home and that's going to be a tough match. They're a really good side. So we know that we're gonna have to blaze. We have won 10 and drawn one in the last 11 and we're not on top of the league. This is the level and as well, this is the reason why we have to improve so quickly as a team to try to be there.
On what has clicked...
In the end, it's about performances. You have to earn the right to win the games in this league and the teams, they ask you a lot of questions and there are a lot of things you have to control in a Premier League match to win away from home. The team seems to be controlling those moments much better and being comfortable in different stages of games, when the teams are demanding all this stuff. That's the biggest step as a team.
On Bukayo Saka's fitness...
Yeah, he’s fine.
On Jorginho's performance...
He was superb. And as well, I think nobody expected him to run into those areas with the ball to assist Kai but I think his leadership, his intelligence, the quality he delivers, I think it makes everybody better. I think today he, Dec and Martin in the middle were outstanding.
On Gabriel Jesus' involvement today...
I was really happy. Especially on the side, the way they attack which was the opportunities were for him to score in certain moments. He had two big chances as well that he could have converted. But his contribution, in the last thing he does for the first goal, just winning that penalty, tells you that. So we're getting him back. I think he can have a huge impact for us.
On if the boss has laughed off the calls for signing a striker in January...
No, because you don't know what happens. So stay humble in football. Enjoy the day because you don't know how it's going to be tomorrow.
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